The best alternatives to MinIO
MinIO’s US ownership means data stored on EU servers can still fall under the CLOUD Act, leaving EU teams exposed to compliance risks. If sovereignty is non-negotiable, European-hosted alternatives eliminate that legal grey area. Some also simplify deployment compared to self-managing MinIO on bare metal or VPS infrastructure.
European alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Why do teams switch from MinIO to a European alternative?
US-based ownership means MinIO data, even on EU servers, can be compelled under the CLOUD Act. European alternatives remove this legal exposure while often offering managed services that reduce operational overhead compared to self-hosting.
Are European MinIO alternatives GDPR-compliant?
Yes, if the provider stores and processes data exclusively within the EU or another adequacy-recognized jurisdiction. This avoids CLOUD Act exposure and aligns with GDPR requirements for data residency and sub-processor controls.
How hard is it to migrate away from MinIO?
MinIO’s S3 compatibility makes migration to another S3-compatible provider straightforward, as most code requires only endpoint updates. However, some alternatives support only basic object operations, which may require adjustments for advanced features like IAM or bucket policies.
Do European alternatives offer managed services?
Yes. Providers like Cubbit offer fully managed object storage with EU residency, eliminating the need to self-host and maintain infrastructure. This reduces operational complexity compared to running MinIO on bare metal or VPS.
Is self-hosting MinIO on EU servers enough to avoid GDPR issues?
No. Even when self-hosted on EU infrastructure, MinIO’s US ownership means data can still be compelled under the CLOUD Act, which may override GDPR safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses.